It’s peak pollinator time in New England gardens and I’m a little surprised at what plant in my garden is getting all the action. I do maintain a garden that is constantly in bloom but I’m more of a blooming woody shrub lover than perennial flower lover for two reason. Shrubs need less maintenance than perennials… and there’s something quite magic about the color green… the variety of shapes, colors, and textures of green leaves that shrubs and trees provide in a garden attracts and soothes me like no perennial can.
All that being said, I do provide perennials as accents and splashes of color in the garden. I especially want to provide nectar for pollinators and host plants for a variety of butterflies. The summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) is just beginning to burst upon the scene but it’s being ignored by insects. The butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii), liriope, hostas, daisies, sunflowers, and a few others are being shunned for this small bloom. Mobbed by bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, this small allium seems to be the bee’s knees right now.
Not in full bloom but those blooms that are open are a’buzzing with activity. Sorry… butterfly bush, daisies, summersweet… I’m sure your time will come.
I’ve lived for perennials for years, but as I continue to ‘mature’ I’m on the lookout for shrubs that don’t require quite as much work. Love the Allium. 🙂 I’m grateful for the pollinators I’m seeing, but have to admit I’m not seeing as many as prior years. 😦
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I’ve gone the perennial route in my earlier years and enjoyed the labor. But, yes, I’m ‘maturing,’ too, and require a bit less garden maintenance. Even in our perennial mats at Rolling Green Nursery, we are seeing few butterflies. Very bad year….
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I worked outside this morning for 3 1/2 hours and saw one bee, two moths and zero butterflies. 😦
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I see a lot of bees but hardly any butterflies. We have moths but not the numbers and variety I should be seeing. Scary….
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You know I am all about pollinators and it is wonderful to see what they are gathering from this time of year. Golden Rod is just beginning here, West of you. I expect the honey to be very yellow soon. Love the shots!!
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I can almost taste that honey! Can’t wait to read about your harvest….
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I am a northern gardener starting fresh in Georgia next year. About 1 hour from Birmingham and Atlanta. We will have 10 acres heavily wooded. Any suggestions?
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